21 Alligation or Mixture

IMPORTANT FACTS AND FORMULAE

I. AIHgalion; lt is the rule that enables us to find the ratio in which two 01' more ingredients at the given
price must be mixed to produce a mixture of a desired price.
fl . Mean Price: The cost price of a unit quantity ol the mixture is called the mean price.
Ill. Rule of Alligatio n: H two ingredients are mixed, then
Quantity of cheaper ) (C.P. of dearer) - {Mean price)
( Quantity of dearer (Mean price) - (C.P. of cheaper)
We present as under :
C.P. of a unit quantity of cheaper C.P. of a unit quantity of dearer

(c) ~ an p ~ (d)

- - - - - - - - - - (nr) - - - - - - - - - -

~-~ ~ - rj
(Cheaper quantity) : (Dearer quantity) = (d - 111) : (nr - c).
IV. Suppose a container contains x units of liquid from which y units are taken out and replaced by water.

After n operations, the quantity of pure liquid = [ X ( I -~r] units.

•d•)Mi•IUiMR•it
Ex. 1. In what ratio must rict at f 9.30 ptr kg bt mixtd wit/, rict at f 10.80 ptr kg so tl,at tht mixtutt bt worth
f JO per kg?
Sol. By the rule of alligation, we have :
C.P. of l kg rice of 1st kind (in paisc) C.P. of l kg rice of 2nd kind (in paisc)

930 ~:a;:!~ 1080

~
------------1~ ---------- ro
Required ratio = 80 : 70 = 8 : 7.
Ex. 2. How much wattr must bt addtd to 60 lims of milk at Ji lims fort 20 so as to havt a mirtutt worth

f JO~ a litrt ?
3

Sol C.P. of 1 litre of milk="(20x¾) =f ~.

633
 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
er. of I litre of waler er. ol l litre of milk
0 ' 40
3
- - - - - - - - - -Mean price- - - - - - -
( t 32)
3

( 40
3
_ 32) = !
3 3
-------- - - - - - - - - - - (32
3
-o) = 323
Ratio of water and milk =38 :332 =8 : 32 =1 : 4.
Quantity of water to be added to 60 litres of milk =(¾x60 )mres = 15 litres.
Ex. 3. In w l,at ratio must ruater bt mixed ruith milk to gain 20% by selling tire mirhlrr at cost price ?
Sol. Let C.P. of milk be f I per litre. Then, S.P. of I litr-e of mixture = f I. Gain obtained = 20%.

C. P. ofl litreofmixture = ='( xt)=t~.

100
120 6
By the rule of aUigation, we have :
C.P. of I litre of waler C.P. of I litre of milk

0 ---------- -------- 'I

(' ¼)
~-¾) =¼-------- ----------(¾--~= ¾
Ratio of wate r and m ilk = .!. :~ = 1 : 5.
6 6
c.~. -1. How many kgs. of w l,eat costing t 8 per kg must be mixed with 36 kg of rice costing t 5.40 per kg so tlrat
20% gain may bt obta ined by selling the mixhire at t 7.20 per kg?
Sol. S.P. of 1 kg mixture = f 7.20, Gain = 20%.

C.P. of 1 kg m ixture = , ( ; ~ x7.20 ) =, 6.

By the rule of alligatio n, we have :

C.P. ol l kg wheal ol lsl kind C.P. of I kg wheat of 2nd kind
(800 p ) - - - - - • • - - - - - (540 p)
~ean pra~

- - - - - - - (600p) - - - - - - -
ro 200
Wheat of 1s t kind : Wheat of 2nd kind = 60 : 200 = 3 : 10.
Let x kg of wheat of 1s t kind be mixed with 36 kg of wheat of 2nd kind.
Th!'n, 3 : IO = x : 36 or 10.\' = 3 >< 36 or x = 10.8 kg.
Ex. 5. Tire milk and water in two w ssels A and B arr in tire raHo 4 : 3 and 2 : J rrspecHvely. In wl,at ratio, tl,e liquids
in botl, tJ,e vessels bt mixed to obtain a nt'W mixh1rr in vessel C containing half milk and half water ?
Sol. Let the C.P. of milk be f I per litre.

Milk in 1 litre mixture of A =; litre; Milk in I litre mixture of 8 =¾ litre;

Milk in I litre mixture of C = ½litre.

4 2
7;
:. C. P. of 1 litre mixture in A = ' C.P. of 1 litre mixture in 8 =, - .
5
ALUGATION OR MIXTURE

1
Mean price = '
2.
By the rule of alligation, we have :
C.P. of I litre mix. in A C.P. of 1 litre mix. in B

(t) -------- --------- (¾)

(.~)---------
1 1
Required ratio = - : - = 7 : 5.
10 14
(½)
-------- (.~)

EXERCISE
(OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS)
Directfons: Mark (3) against tl1t corttct answer. (a) 36 kg (b) 42 kg
1. ln what ratio must a grocer mix two varieties of (c) 54 kg (d) 63 kg
pulses costing , 15 and , 20 per kg respectively so 8. ln what ratio must water be mixed with milk to
as to get a mixture worth , 16.50 per kg ?
(R.R._8~ 2008) gain 16~% on selling the mixture at cost price ?
3
(a) 3 : 7 (b) 5 : 7
(a) 1 : 6 (b) 6 : 1
(c) 7 : 3 (d) 7 : 5
2. Find the ratio in which rice at , 7 .20 a kg be mixed (c) 2 : 3 (d) 4 : 3
with rice at , 5JO a kg to produce a mixture worth 9. A dishonest milkman professes to sell his milk at cost
, 6.30 a kg. price but he mixes it with water and thereby gains
(a) 1 : 3 (b) 2 : 3 25%. The percentage of water in the mixture is
(c) 3 : 4 (d) 4 : 5
(a) 4% (b) 6 .!_%
3. ln what ratio must tea at , 62 per kg be mixed with 4
tea at , n per kg so that the mixture must be worth (c) 20% (d) 25%
'64.50 per kg? 10. Two vessels A and B contain spirit and water mixed
(a) 3 : t (b) 3 : 2 in the ratio 5 : 2 and 7 : 6 respectively. Find the ratio
(c) 4 : 3 (d) 5 : 3 in which these mixtures be mixed to obtain a new
4. In what ratio must water be mixed with milk costing mixture in vessel C containing spirit and water in
, U per litre to obtain a mixture worth of , 8 per the ratio 8 : 5 ?
litre ? (a) 4 : 3 (b) 3 : 4
(a) 1 : 2 (b) 2 : t
(c) 5 :6 (d) 7 : 9
(c) 2 : 3 (d) 3 : 2
11. Two vessels A and B contain milk and water mixed
5. The cost of Type I rice is , 15 per kg and Type 2
in the ratio 8 : 5 and 5 : 2 respectively. The ratio in
rice is , 20 per kg. If both Type I and Type 2 are
which these two mixtures be mixed to get a new
mixed in the ratio of 2 : 3, then the price per kg of
the mixed variety of rice is mixture containing 69 ~ % milk, is
(a) , 18 (b) , 18.50 1
(c) , 19 (d) , 19.50 (a) 2 : 7 (b) 3: 5
6. In what ratio must a grocer mix two varieties of tea (c) 5 : 2 (d) 5 : 7
worth , 60 a kg and f 65 a kg so that by seUing the U . A milk vendor has 2 cans of milk. The first contains
mixture at f 68.20 a kg he may gain 10%? 25% water and the rest milk. The second contains
~)3:2 ~)3 : 4 50% water. How much mil.k should he mix from
(c) 3 : 5 (d) 4 : 5 each of the containers so as to get U litres of milk
7. How many kilograms of sugar costing f 9 per kg must such that the ratio of water to milk is 3 : 5 ?
be mixed with 'Z7 kg of sugar costing, 7 per kg so that
(a) 4 litres, 8 litres (b) 6 litres, 6 litres
there may be a gain of 10% by selling the mixture at
(c) 5 Ii tres, 7 litres (d) 7 litres, 5 litres
, 9.24 per kg ?
 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

13. One quality of wheat at " 9.30 per kg is mixed with 1

another quality at a certain rate in the ratio 8 : 7. If (a) - (b) .!.
3 4
the mixture so formed be worth " 10 per kg, what
1
is the rate per kg of the St.'COnd quality of wheat ? (c) 5 (d) .!.
(a) '° to.JO (l1)'° 10.60 7

(c) '° 10.80 (d) '° 11

21 . A milkman mixed some water with milk to gain
25% by sci.ling the mixture at the cost price. The
14. Tea worth " 126 per kg and " 135 per kg are mixed ratio of wa ter and milk is respectively.
with a third variety in the ratio 1 : 1 : 2. If the mixture (SSC-CJ.IS L IIO♦lJ E,•m, 20151
l~ wo rth " 153 per kg, the price of the third variety (a) 5 : 4 (b) 4 : 5
per kg will be : (c) 1 : 5 (d) 1 : 4
(a) '° 169.50 (b) 170 '° 22. 20 litres of a mixture contains milk and water in the
(c) " 175.50 (d) " 180 ratio 3 : I. Then the amount of milk to be added to
15. A merchant has 1000 kg of sugar, part of which the mixture so as lo have milk and water in ratio
he sells at 8% profit and the rest at 18% profit. He 4 : I is (SSC-CI ISL 110♦ 21 (um, 20151
gains 14% on the whole. The quantity sold at 18% (a) 7 litres (b) 4 litres
profit is (c) 5 litres (d) 6 litres
(a) .JOO kg (b) 560 kg 23. A vessel con tains a m ixture of Grape, Pineapple
(c) 600 kg (d) 640 kg and Banana juices in the respective ratio of 4 : 6 : 5.
16. A jar full of whisky contain~ 40% alcohol. A part of 15 litres of this mixture is taken out and 8 litres of
this whisky is replaced by another containing 19% grape juice and 2 litres of pineapple juice is added
alcohol and now the percentage of alcohol was found to the vessel. If the resultant quantity of grape juice
to be 26%. The quantity of whL~ky replaced is : is 10 litres less than the resultant quantity of g rape
juke Is 10 litres less than the resultant quantity of
I 2 pineapple juice. What was the initial quantity of
(a) 3 (b) 3 mixture In the vessel? (in litres )
2 3 IIBPS-B•nk ~rr U'rtJ E.um, 20151
(c) 5 (d) 5 (a) 120 (b) 150

17. A container contains 40 litres of milk. From this con- (c) 105 (d) 135
tainer 4 litres of milk was taken ou t and replaced by 24. The respective ratio of milk and water in the mixture
water. This process was repeated further two times. is 4 : 3 respectively. lf 6 Litres of water is added to
How much milk is now contained by the container ? this mixture, the respective ratio of milk and water
(a) 26.34 litres (b) 27.36 litres becomes 8 : 7. What is the quantity of milk in the
originnl mixture?
(c) 28 litres (d) 29. 16 litres
IIBl'S-RRB Office A.,bt•nt IOnhne) Ex•m, 2015I
18. 8 litres are drawn from a cask full of wine and is (a) 36 litres (b) 84 litres
then filled with water. This operation is performed
three more times. The r.itio of the quantity of wine (c) 48 litres (d) None of these
now left in c.isk to that of the water is 16 : 65. How 15. 35 kg of type A sandal powder, which costs " 614
much wine did the cas k hold o riginally ? per kg, was mixed with a certain amount of type B
(a) 18 litres (b) 24 litres sandal powder, which costs " 695 per kg. then the
(c) 32 litres (d) 42 litres mixture was sold at the rate of " 767 per kg and
18% profit was earned. What was the amount (In
19. A can contains a mix ture of two liquids A and B in
the ratio 7 : 5. When 9 litres of mixture are drawn
kg) of type B sandal powder in the m ixtu re?
IIBPS- B•nk Spl. Officer IITI Eum. 201SI
off and the can is filled with B, the ratio of A and
(a) 24 (b) 28
B becomes 7 : 9. How many litres of liquid A was
contained by the can Initially? (c) 32 (d) 36
(a) to (b) 20 26. How many liters o f water should be added to a 30
(c) 21 (d) 25 litre mixture of milk and water containing milk and
water in the ratio of 7 : 3 such that the resultant
20. A vessel is filled with liquid, 3 parts of which are mixture has 40% water in it?
water and 5 parts syrup. How much of the mixture
(SSC-Junior A~socl•ln (Pr~., ~•m, 20161
must be drawn off and replaced with water so that (a) 5 (b) 2
the mixture may be half water and half syrup ?
(c) 3 (d) 8
Al.LIGATION OR MIXTURE

ANSWERS
r ...,
L (c) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (d)
11. (a) 12. (b) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (c)
n . (d) 22. (c) 23. (d) 24. (d) 25. (b) 26. (a)
,
\.

SOLUTIONS
I, By the rule of alligt11ion ; ~ Sx"' 90 ~ .r"' 18.
Cost of 1 kg pulses of Cost of I kg pulse, o f So, price of the mixture is , 18 per kg.
1st kind 2nd kind
tl S_ ' 20
6. s.r. of I kg of the mixture = , 68.20, Gain = 10 % .

- - - - Mean price - - - - C.P. of 1 kg of the mixture = , ( IOO x 68.20) = , 62.

__,---- , 16.SO ------------ 110
3.50 1.50 By the rule of alligation, we have :
Required rate =3.50 : I.SO =35 : 15 =7 : 3. Cost of I kg tea of Cost of 1 kg lea of
2. By the rule of alligation :
Cost o f l kg rice of Cost of I kg rice of
I st kind
,60 ,65
2nd kind

1sl kind 2nd kind

n op 570p
~ean pri~
,62
- - - - Mean price - - - -
3 ----- ----- 2
_____-- 630 p ----------- Required ratio =3 : 2.
60 90 7. S.P. of I kg of mixture =, 9.2-1, Gain = 10%.
Required ratio =60 : 90 =2 : 3.
J . By the rule of alligation :
c.P. of 1 kg of mixture = , (!: x9.24 ) =, 8.40.
Cost of I kg tea of Cost of I kg lea of By the rule of alligation, we have :
Isl kind 2nd kind
C.P. of 1 kg sugar of Cost of I kg sugar of
6200p 7200p
lst kind 2nd kind
----- Mean price - - - -
,9 '7
___..-- MSOp------ ~eanp~
750_.,,.--- ---250
____, 8.40-.____

Required ratio = 750 : 250 = 3 : 1. 1.40 - - - - -.____ 0.60

-l. By the rule of alligation : :. Ratio of quantities of Isl and 2nd kind= 14 : 6 = 7 : 3.
c.P. of 1 litre of water C.P. of 1 litre of milk Let x kg of sugar of 1st kind be mixed with 27 kg of 2nd
0 ,u kind
~leanp ~ 7 27
Then, 7: 3 = x : 27 or x = ( : ) = 63 kg.
_____ , 8 - - - - -
4 8 8. Let C.P. o f I litre millc be , I.
Ratio of water to milk = -I : 8 = l : 2. S.P. of I litre of mixture = , I, Gain = ~ %.
S. Let the price of the mixed variety be t x per kg.
By the rule of alligation, we have : C P. of I litre of mixture = ( IOOx ~ xl ) = , ; .
Cost of 1 kg of Cost of 1 kg of By the rule of alligation, we have :
Type 1 rice Type 2 rice
CP. of I litre of water CP. of 1 litre of milk
'15
______ ,x____
' 20
0 ,1

!----
~anp~
~eanpri~
(20-x) (x - l5) ,o
(20 - .r ) 2
---=- ~ 60 - 3x = 2.x -30 7 7 ----- ~7
(x - 15) 3
:. Ratio of water and milk = t :l = I : 6.
 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

9. Let C.P. of I litre milk be ' I. By the rule of alligation, we have :

Then, S.P. of I litre of mixture = , I, Gain = 25%. C.P. of I litre C.P. of I litre
mixture in A mixture in B
C.P. of I litre mixture = , ( ~~ x I)=, l 8 S
1 3 ~a ; p ~ 7
C.P. of I litre of milk C.P. of l litr@ of w.1ter
'I 2----13----1

!----
0
91 jj
~ ea n r ~
Required ratio = ; : ~ = 2 : 7.
1 1
5
' s - - - - !5 12. Let cost of I litre milk be , I.

Mille in I litre mix. in Ist can = ¾litre,

Ratio of milk to water = ~ : ¼= 4 : I.
Hence, percentage of water In the mixture C.P. of I li tre mix. in Isl can = , ¾-
= (¼x too)% =20%. Milk in I litre mix. in 2nd ran = ½litre,
to. Let the c.r. of spirit be , l per litre.

Spirit in I litre mix. of A = J litre;

C.P. of I litre mix. in 2nd can =, ½·

C.P. of I litre mix. in A = , J. Milk in I litre of fin,,I mix. = ¾litre,

Spirit In I Hire mix. of B = iJ litre; Mean price = , i·

By the rule of alligation, we have :
CP. of I litre mix. in B = ' ; 3 · C.P. of I litre
C.P. of I litre
mixture in Ist can mixture in 2nd ran
Spirit in I litre mix. of C = ~ litre;

Mean price = , ~ .
1 J
4 ~ant~ 2 I

By the rule of aJligation, we have:

!8 - - - - - 8 ---- !8
C.P. of I litre C.P. of I litre
mixture in A mixture in B Ratio of two mixtures = ½: ½= I : I.
So, quantity of mixture taken from each can

=( ½• l2)= 6litres.
13. Let the rate of the second quality be , x per kg.
By the rule of alligation, we have :
Required ratio = ~ :
1
:i= 7 : 9. C.P. of I kg wheat of C.P. of I kg wheat or
1st kind 2nd kind
lJ. Let rost of I litre milk be , 1.
93011 (100.r)p
Mille in I litre mix. in A = ~ Ii tre, ~eanprice~
3

c.r. of I litre mix. in A = ' ~ .

~ IOOOp~
1
(100 :r- 1000) p 70 ,,
· ·m B = S H-
Mille .in I litre rrux. u..-,
7 100.r- 1000 = ! = 700.r - 7000
C.P. of I litre mix. in B = ' i. 70 7
= 560 = 700.r = 7560
Milk In I litre of final mix. = (
900 1
x--x
13 100
I)= .!.
13
litre·
'
~ X =' I0.80.
14. Since first and second varieties are mixed in equal propor•
Mean price =, ~.
1
tions, so their average price
ALUGATION OR MIXTURE

Quantity of A in mixture left

= , (126; 135 ) = , 130.50.

So. the mixture is formed by mixing two varieties, one

= (1x-:i x9 ) litres = ( 7x - ~I ) litn!S.
at , 130.50 per kg and the other at say, , x per kg in the Quantity of B in mixture left
ratio 2 : 2, iL., I : I. We have to find .r.
By the rule of alligation. we have :
= ( 5.r - ; x 9 ) litres = ( 5.r -
2
~ ) liln!S.
Cost of I kg tea of Cost of I kg tea of
1st kind 2nd kind (7.r-¥) 7 => 28.r-21 7
' 130.50 . ~ ' X (sx -1J)+9 9 20.r+21 9
~eanp~
'1 53 => 252.r - 189= 140.r + 147

(.r- 15 3 ) ~ ~22.50 => llli = 336 => .r = 3.

So, the can contained 21 litres of A.
.r-lSJ = I => x- 153 = 22.50 =>
22.50
.r
= 175.50. 20. Suppose the vessel initially contain.~ 8 litres of liquid.
Let .r litres of this liquid be replaced with water.
Hence, price of the third variety = , 175.50 per kg.
3
15. B)• the rule of alligation, we have : Quantity of water in new mixture = ( 3 - : + litres. .r)
Profit on Profit on
Is l part 8% 2nd part 18% Quantity of syrup in new mixture = ( 5- 5: ) litn!S.
~anp ~
14% - - - - (3-3; +.r)= (5-5;)
4 6 => 5x +24 = 40 - 5.r
--
Ratio of Isl --
and --
2nd parts = 4 : 6 = 2 : 3.
=> 10.r = 16 => X = s·8
Quantity of 2nd kind = ( ¾x 1000 ) kg = 600 kg.
16. By the rule of alligation, we have :
So, parl of the mixture replaced = ( x f ¾)= ¼-
Strength of fust jar Strength of 2nd jar 21. C.P. of t litres of milk = ' 100
40% 19% :. Mixture sold for f 125

~~~~ =
125
= 2- iiters
100 4

7- - - - - ----14 :. Quantity of mixture = ¾liters

So, ratio of 1st and 2nd quantities = 7 : 14 = 1 : 2. :. Quantity of milk = 1 liters
Rl.'quired quantity replaced = l :. Quantity of water = ¾ - I=¾ liters
17. Amo unt of milk left after 3 operation.~
:. Required ratio = ¾:1
= [40 ( 1 - !t] litn!S = I :4
22. ln 20 litres of mixture.
9 9 9) Quantity of Milk ::, ¾x20 = 15 liters
= ( 40" 10" 10" 10 = 29 .1 6 litn!S.
l S. Let the quantity of the wine in the cask originally be .r litres.
Quantity of Water ::, ¾x20 =Sliters
lhen, the quantity of the wine left in cask after 4 operations
Let the quantity of milk added be .r liters.
According to the question,
15 + .r 4
- s-=,
v(1_!)-I
=> 15 + .r = -I x S
:.t.:.....!..L=
X
16
81
=(i-!).. =(1r
X 3) =(x-s)=13 X => x = 20 - 15 = 5 liters
23. let quantity of grape, pineapple and banana juice in the
=> 3.r - 24 = 2x => .t = 24. mixture be 4.t , 6x and 5.r respectively
19. Suppose the can initially contains 7.r and 5.r litres of Total initiaJ quantity of juice in the vessel
mixtures A and B respectively.
= -lr + 6x • 5x = 15.r liters
 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
In 15 liters of juice, By using .illegation method,
Grape's juice = 4 liters Sand.ii Powdu Sand.ti Powdu
Pineapple's juice = 6 liters Type A Type B
Banana's juice = 5 liters 614 695
Resultant quantity of grape juice i.• 10 liters less than the

~/
resultant quantity of pineapple juice.
=> (6.r-6+2)-(u- 4 + 8) =1 0
:::> 6.r - 4 - 4x - 4 =10
:::> 2x -8= 10
:::> 2x= l 0+8= 18 650
:::> .Y =9

/
:. Initial q uantity of mixture = 15x
= 15 >< 9 = 135 liters
24. Let the q uantity of milk and water in initial mixture be
4.r and 3x liters.
Quantity of water = 3x liters 695 - 650 = 45 650 - 614 = 36
On adding 6 liters of water, we get Ratio= 5: 4
:. Quantity of A type of sandal is 35 kg
-4x- =-8
3.r+6 7 5x = 35 kg
:::> 28x = 24.\' + 48 x = 7 kg
=> 28.r - 24.l' = 48 Thus B type sandal = 7 " 4 = 28 kg
=> 4x=48 ?6. Total quantity of mixture = 30 li tres
48 = 12
:::> .r =
4 Quantity Milk in the mixture = 7: 3
x 30 litre =21 litres
:. Required q uantity of milk
: 'U : 4 X J2 "' 48 liters.
and quantity water in the mixture = !
7 3
x 30 litn- = 9 litres

25. Cost price of mixture Let water to be mixed ·a' litre

= Sale price x IOO = 767 x l OO = l' 650 40
Then (30+a)x =9+a
(100+gaino/o) 118 100
or 120 + 4a = 90 + l(la
or 120 - 90 = Illa - 4a
30 = 6a
:::>a=5
Hence, 5 litres water mixed in the mixture.